Registering my car in Florida: Does this sound right? (taxes, law)

[Beacher23]

Yep, just did mine finally last week and altogether costed me $480, it's definitely not a cheap process!

[bobandsherry]

Originally Posted by sunshinyday

So this is a seemingly complicated process, isn't it?!! I went through this in April in the Ruskin office. It was actually simpler than I thought. I can describe the process in that office--probably similar in other offices within Hillsborough county. May be the same throughout the state.

Also, make an appointment on line so you don't have to wait too long. Everything is done in one place.

I know this is old thread, but figure resurrect the dead instead of a new thread. If you make an appointment, can you make one appointment for both the husband and wife or do you need to make a separate appointment for each? Do you also need a separate appointment to do DL and Registration of car or can it all be done as one appointment? Asking as it had me choose one type of service and also entering personal information (Name, DOB).

Thanks

[FLHfan]

Originally Posted by bobandsherry

I know this is old thread, but figure resurrect the dead instead of a new thread. If you make an appointment, can you make one appointment for both the husband and wife or do you need to make a separate appointment for each? Do you also need a separate appointment to do DL and Registration of car or can it all be done as one appointment? Asking as it had me choose one type of service and also entering personal information (Name, DOB).

Thanks

You only need one appt. Everything will be taken care of at the same place. When I did mine there were a few couples getting their drivers licences, titles, registrations and plates.

If you have several vehicles you can call the sheriffs office and they will send someone to your house to verify your old titles and vin numbers. That saves you from making more than one trip.

When it comes due you pay your property taxes and sign up for the homestead exemption there too. (Or you can do it on-line).

[stevo75]

Originally Posted by marc3565

We did it all at the Tax Collectors office. the lady came out and checked the VIN herself

This ^^^

[bobandsherry]

Originally Posted by FLHfan

You only need one appt. Everything will be taken care of at the same place. When I did mine there were a few couples getting their drivers licences, titles, registrations and plates.

If you have several vehicles you can call the sheriffs office and they will send someone to your house to verify your old titles and vin numbers. That saves you from making more than one trip.

When it comes due you pay your property taxes and sign up for the homestead exemption there too. (Or you can do it on-line).

Thanks for the info. One last follow-up, is the "APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE WITH/WITHOUT REGISTRATION" (form 82040) required to be filled out in advance or can you complete at time of the appointment?

[MortonR]

You can complete it at the time you are present.

As for the VIN verification, while you might be able to get someone to come by and do it at your house (I have using a community resource officer) it's just as easy to do at the tax collector's office, as they'll have a LEO on site to do it or one of their people will.

The only reason I've done it outside of the office is when I had a car that was non-operational that I wanted to title and register.

As mentioned previously, you can make a single appointment for multiple people. I've had as many as three family members get things done with one appointment.

It's a pretty simple process and I have yet to encounter the stereotypical DMV employee - the tax collectors are really customer service based, and you should have a very pleasant experience.

Don't forget if you're bringing cars into Florida from out of state you'll get dinged for the administrative fee on each vehicle - $225 each, I believe.

RM

[ColS]

So, are taxes on cars really a one time thing in FL or do you have to pay anything else yearly?

[MortonR]

You pay an annual registration fee that is based on the weight and type of vehicle. No excise tax or anything like that.

RM

[CindyRoos]

All of this is very helpful info. I'm glad you are all here to shed light on this

[themosthigh]

I had my insurance agent do the VIN check for me prior to heading to the registry. Def wasn't cheap to do the swap. All I had for proof of address was my new insurance policy and the guy let it slide. Almost $500 out the door for license,plates, and title to be changed over. Pretty painless. Just strolled into the tax collectors office one afternoon and was out of there in about an hour without setting up an appointment.